What Is Going On With My Ph? Need Help!

[Lisa67]

In another thread I've been posting that I've been fishless cycling 2 tanks for about 6 weeks. Suddenly the processing of amonia has slowed and nitrite is 5+. Decided to test my PH today and was shocked! When I started cycling my PH was 8.2... Today when I tested it it was 7.2!!! What is going on? I'm hoping that this is naturally occuring during cycling because I've spent weeks researching fish for high PH water. Even have my shopping list made out. Both tanks were started around the same time and the PH drop occured in both. HELP PLEASE
Also should mention I have very hard well water.

 

[Skins]

When you have high levels of nitrAte in your waters chemistry this can cause your pH to crash which is a result of your local water supply having poor buffering capabilities(gH/kH). Your cycle will be ok with your pH at 7.2 its when it gets down to 6.8 and lower imo when the cycle can stall. Keep a close eye on your pH and if gets below 6.8 you can either perform a water change or add some sodium bicarbonate to raise your pH level.

Keith.

 

[Lisa67]

I'm definately relieved to hear that. However, just for the heck of it I decided to recheck my tap water and that is also reading lower than before. My only thoughts are that my test kit is out of wack (unlikely) or all of the flooding we have had in this area affected my well water. That in itself is concerning because once I finially have fish I don't want to mess up the PH every time I do a water change.

 

[waterdrop]

Water sources do change parameters, but usually not enough to create serious problems. As fishless cyclng proceeds, there is slowly more and more nitrate(NO3) produced and about 7% of that can be in the nitric acid form. That is the chemistry that is actually pushing the pH down. I'd base it on your own availability to play with it. If you reach a weekend and are home and feel like doing some tank work then even if it hadn't dropped all the way to 6.8 or so yet but had dropped significantly I'd consider doing a massive down-to-the-gravel water change. Remember to condition, temp-match and recharge with ammonia on the refill. Of course, if you have a more fun weekend planned I'd just skip it, no big deal!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Lisa67]

A more fun weekend?! What could be more fun than a massive water change Thank you for your help.